2 3 STUDY QUESTIONS Play the “The Beatitudes: Poor in Spirit” video lesson. 1. Have someone in your Life Group read Matthew 5:1-12 and then Matthew 5:3 (again). What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? 2. Describe how you’ve seen “poor in spirit” play out in the lives of others or in our society as a whole. 4 STUDY QUESTIONS 3. What are some examples of “poor in spirit” from the lives of Jesus’ disciples, friends, crowds, and interactions? 4. Setting the context for the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Actually, Jesus taught more about the Kingdom of Heaven than any other topic. Why did He primarily focus on the Kingdom of Heaven? 5 STUDY QUESTIONS 5. In the video lesson, Dusty pointed out that, “Jesus doesn’t say ‘blessed are the poor in spirit BECAUSE they admit it… Jesus’ agenda was that His Kingdom was available now to ALL people, including those poor in spirit.” If you feel comfortable, share a time when you had to acknowledge how you were “poor in spirit.” What lesson did God teach you or what blessing did you receive from owning your “spiritual bankruptcy”? 6. Read Isaiah 9:1-2 & 61:1-3. According to these verses, how did (does) Jesus bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the world? Jesus gives a description and a promise in each beatitude. In Matthew 5:3, what is the relationship between “poor in spirit” and “Kingdom of Heaven”? 6 reflect Take a few minutes to: •Write down one personal takeaway from this lesson. •Now, write about how this takeaway could be applied to your life. •Finally, if you’re comfortable doing so, share your takeaway and life application with the group. 7 2 3 STUDY QUESTIONS Play the “The Beatitudes: Mourn” video lesson. 1. Name a movie that you probably won’t watch again because it’s so sad. 2. As a Life Group, invite one person to read Matthew 5:1–12 (The Beatitudes) 4 STUDY QUESTIONS 3. If you feel comfortable, briefly share about a season of your life when you experienced grief and answer one or two of the following questions: How did that season change your life? How did your grief bring you closer to God? What lesson did God teach you during that particular season? 4. Read Isaiah 40:28–31. How have you found safety and comfort in God when you’ve experienced times of mourning? 5 STUDY QUESTIONS 5. If you could write a letter to or call someone experiencing a season of grief, how would you encourage them? What would you say or better yet, what would you not say? 6. Read John 11:35. Do John’s 2 words about Jesus give you permission to be authentic and show emotion in times of sorrow? Why or why not? 6 reflect Take a few minutes to: •Write down one personal takeaway from this lesson. •Now, write about how this takeaway could be applied to your life. •Finally, if you’re comfortable doing so, share your takeaway and life application with the group. 7 2 3 STUDY QUESTIONS Play the “The Beatitudes: Meek” video lesson. 1. As a Life Group, invite one person to read Matthew 5:1–12 (The Beatitudes) 2. What was one thing that stood out to you from Victor’s teaching on “Blessed are the meek…”? 4 STUDY QUESTIONS 3. Does our society view meekness as a strength or weakness? Why do you believe this is so? 4. As a Life Group, name and describe some events from Moses’s life. What makes Moses one of the “greatest characters in the Bible”? 5 STUDY QUESTIONS 5. Read Numbers 12:3. Given his story and experiences, why do you think Moses is revered as a meek and humble man? Read Titus 3:2, James 3:13, and 1 Peter 3:4. How do these verses encourage us to pursue meekness and humility? 6. During the video lesson, Victor said: “When we look at leaders in the world of business, church leadership, nonprofit organizations, we think that those leaders need to have a voice that collects the masses, the perfect words to say when inspiration is needed, and an ability to weave and work through any situation…” Does that statement differ from how Jesus set an example of encouragement and leadership in His own life? Why or why not? 6 reflect Take a few minutes to: •Identify and write down an area in your life where you need to be humble. •What could you do to increase humility in that area of your life? Write down your ideas. •Finally, if you’re comfortable doing so, share what you’ve written with the group. 7 2 3 STUDY QUESTIONS Play the “The Beatitudes: Hunger & Thirst” video lesson. 1. Read Psalm 42:1-4, Psalm 63:1-5, and Psalm 107:5-9. What connections do you notice between the three passages in Psalms and Matthew 5:6? 2. After viewing the lesson and reading the verse, share what you believe it means to you to be a person who hungers and thirsts for righteousness. 4 STUDY QUESTIONS 3. Where do you currently see God instituting His righteousness and justice in the world? 4. In the video, Brian quoted Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Share about a time when you tasted the Lord’s goodness in your life. 5 STUDY QUESTIONS 5. Read James 1:22-27 and James 2:14-26. According to these verses, how does God use Christians to bring righteousness into communities? Share some examples that you’ve either experienced, witnessed, or heard about. 6. Who are the “orphans and widows” in your community? What can you practically do to make a difference in their life? 6 reflect Take a few minutes to: •Write down the name of someone you know who is in need. •Now, write down how you could meet their need or help them towards the goal of meeting their needs. •Finally, if you’re comfortable doing so, share your name and plan to help meet their needs with the group. 7 2 3 STUDY QUESTIONS Play the “The Beatitudes: Merciful” video lesson. 1. Read Matthew 5:7. How would you describe what it means to be merciful? 2. In the video lesson, Dusty defined merciful as “to be moved beyond pity into active compassion for someone in need.” How would you describe the difference between pity and mercy? 4 STUDY QUESTIONS 3. Read Hebrews 2:17 and Hebrews 4:15-16. In what ways do these verses describe Jesus as merciful? 4. Read Matthew 6:14-15 and Proverbs 11:17. Why is it wrong for someone who has experienced God’s mercy to not be merciful toward others? 5 STUDY QUESTIONS 5. Have each person in your group silently read Matthew 18:23-35. How did the servant’s behavior (whose debt was cancelled) reveal what he actually thought about the king’s forgiveness? How much did the servant actually value the king’s forgiveness? 6. What are some ways that we can be merciful without enabling or justifying the harmful decisions of others (especially in regard to toxic people in our lives)? Read Romans 2:4. How might recognizing God’s mercy and kindness toward you help you show more mercy to others? 6 reflect Take a few minutes to: •Write down the name of someone you know who needs some mercy and kindness in their life. •Now, identify and write down how you could show them mercy and kindness. •Finally, if you’re comfortable doing so, share your takeaway and life application with the group. 7 2 3 STUDY QUESTIONS Play the “The Beatitudes: Pure in Heart” video lesson. 1. Read Matthew 5:8. How would you describe someone who is pure in heart? What qualities do they possess? 2. With Matthew 5:8 in mind, read Romans 12:3. In what ways are the ideas of being “pure in heart” and “think of yourself with sober judgment” connected? 4 STUDY QUESTIONS 3. Take a couple of minutes so each group member can silently read Matthew 6:1-18. How do these verses describe what it is to be “pure in heart”? 4. In the video lesson, Dusty mentioned that the current status of your heart has a lot to do with your view about God. If you feel comfortable, briefly discuss where your heart is right now and how that impacts your view of God. 5 STUDY QUESTIONS 5. Dusty also said, “When your thoughts and motives are whole, you can begin to ‘see God’ more clearly; His way and His will.” Read Romans 12:1-2. How does this verse describe what a clearer vision of God looks like? 6. Read Psalm 24:3-6. How are these verses similar to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:8? What are some of the things that the “pure in heart” do in these verses? 6 reflect Take a few minutes to: •Write down one personal takeaway from this lesson. •Now, write about how this takeaway could be applied to your life. •Finally, if you’re comfortable doing so, share your takeaway and life application with the group. 7 2 3 STUDY QUESTIONS Play the “The Beatitudes: Peacemakers” video lesson. 1. If you feel comfortable, briefly share about a season in your life when you endured heavy conflict. 2. What lesson(s) did God teach you during that season? What has changed in your life because of the lesson(s) you learned? 4 STUDY QUESTIONS 3.